This essay is part of a Women & Democracy package focused on who’s funding the women and LGBTQ people on the frontlines of democracy. We’re manifesting a new era for philanthropy—one that centers feminism. The need is real: Funding for women and girls amounts to less than 2 percent of all philanthropic giving; for women of color, it’s less than 1 percent. Explore the “Feminist Philanthropy Is Essential to Democracy” collection.
I recently spoke at the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (SBGWC) Dream Conference in Atlanta. SBGWC is a collective of Black women in philanthropy, activism and girls’ work, who provide resources toward underfunded organizations that support and empower Black girls and women in the South. As Chair of HERitage Giving Fund, the first Black giving circle established in my home state of Texas that invests in organizations who serve women and girls, it was wonderful to be with sisters who are doing similar work in the region.
The conference was a beautifully curated gathering of more than 1,100 Black women and girls across the Southern states. One of the highlights was the powerful closing keynote address by Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Dr. King shared insights about the profound legacy of Black women leading social and political movements. However, it was her frank statement that deeply resonated with the audience: “Black women look out for everybody, but nobody looks out for us. White men don’t. Asian men don’t. Hispanic men don’t. Men in general don’t advocate for the rights and protection of Black women and girls. And most non-Black women don’t either.”
On my flight home, I couldn’t stop reflecting on Dr. King’s words and the generations of Black women leaders I admire—my own mother and grandmothers, trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer and so many others who have tirelessly advocated for gender and racial justice. Dr. King was absolutely right—Black women have an unparalleled track record of looking out for everyone while spearheading the frontline work required to “save the world,” even as they are systematically excluded, underfunded and denied support.
The Continuous Invisible Burden of Black Women
Dating back to the 1793 movement to abolish slavery and continuing through the suffrage movement, anti-lynching campaigns, establishing schools, organizing boycotts and championing policy changes, Black women have left an indelible mark in every part of our society and served as the quintessential backbone of American progress and societal advancement. Our contributions in centering the fight for gender justice and equity are invaluable and well-documented.
And yet, despite this pivotal role, Black women continue to face shamefully low levels of funding, investment and systemic support for their work. According to the Fearless Fund, Black women receive less than 1 percent of venture capital funding, a stark disparity compared to other groups.
The burden carried by Black women leaders—turmoil of exclusionary laws and policies, the reneging of affirmative action, the uphill battles against those seeking to undermine diversity efforts, all while nurturing families and communities on shoestring budgets—is killing us. Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, we are tired. The juxtaposition that in 2024, despite elevated education and income levels, Black women remain one of the only groups whose achievements don’t translate to longer life expectancy or better health outcomes is a damning indictment of societal failures.
And if that’s not enough, the harmful narratives: The Angry Black Woman, The Welfare Queen, The Hypersexualized Jezebel, not only affect the perception and treatment of Black women but also contribute to broader societal inequities by justifying discrimination and limiting opportunities. The pernicious “Strong Black Woman” myth, which expects Black women to serve as infinitely selfless, tireless “superwomen” who nurture the world while neglecting their own humanity, was encapsulated by Drew Barrymore’s recent comments to Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite positive intentions, Barrymore’s suggestion that America needs Harris to be the nurturing “Momala” providing a “tremendous hug” to the nation evokes the longstanding “Mammy” stereotype—that of the self-sacrificing Black maternal figure obligated to devote herself to endlessly caring for others at the expense of her own needs and ambitions.
It’s clear we must ask the critical question: Who will provide the same nurturing investment, care and support to Black women themselves? The Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative Report reveals that Black women’s organizations shockingly receive less than 1 percent of the $4.8 billion in philanthropic investments across the South. This is unconscionably low, and ridiculous.
A Funded Future for Black Philanthropy Is Essential
This is why the work I do at Philanthropy Together, leading a movement to scale and strengthen collective giving practices globally is so important. Collective giving groups like the SBGWC’s Dream Fund, awarding $2.2 million so far, and HERitage Giving Fund, awarding over $100,000, are just a few of the 4,000 collective giving groups who are funding Black women’s work through trust-based, low-barrier grantmaking practices while amplifying their voices in decision-making spaces. We are investing in the expertise and leadership of Black women while democratizing and diversifying philanthropy itself as a catalyst for transformative social change.
But to close the inequitable funding gap we are seeing, more allies are needed who hold resources and influence. Philanthropists, policymakers, investors, the media and others—must trust in Black women’s genius and invest urgently and robustly. Multi-year, unrestricted funding that matches the invaluable scale and scope of Black women’s contributions is not only the equitable course, but a moral and democratic imperative.
This means respecting, humbly listening, acknowledging and valuing Black women’s lived expertise, and following their guidance on implementing holistic, culturally-attuned solutions to meet the needs of their communities.
As a Black woman on the frontlines leading a global movement to resource grassroots nonprofits and shift power dynamics in philanthropy, I’ve witnessed our unparalleled ability to drive change. When Black women are resourced and respected as visionaries, we transform communities, spark innovations and create lasting and real impact.
To manifest the just world we all deserve—one where democracy is strengthened and Black women’s brilliance can be fully unleashed—we must wholeheartedly invest in the global changemakers who have been heroically “saving the world” all along—Black women.
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